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About Our Community Staff
Dave Smith, Community PastorChildren & Family
Youth
College
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Community Groups
Women, Men, Sports & Seniors
Care & Counseling
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Dave Smith, Community Pastor
A native of New Jersey, Dave Smith is married to Jen and has four children (Conner, Cameron, Riley, and Lucy). The family resides in Akron. Dave has served at The Chapel for the past 15 years and is currently the pastor of Lifestages, giving oversight and connection to age-specific ministries ranging from Kids' Ministry to Senior Adults.
Dave is a graduate of Taylor University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with a Doctorate of Education from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He seeks to challenge the church to think strategically and critically about its mission while engaging culture with the transformative tools of love and truth. Contact Dave.
Family & Children
Zac Derr, Family Pastor
Zac Derr and his wife, Hilary, joined our team upon the completion of Zac’s internship with Pastor Larson and a brief detour with the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL.
Zac earned an undergraduate degree in emergency management from The University of Akron and a master’s degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
A Pittsburgh native, Zac is a Steelers fan and enjoys reading, home improvement projects, and riding his motorcyle. Hilary works as a business analyst with Westfield Group and is an avid runner. Zac and Hilary live in Wadsworth and have a daughter, Jillian. Contact Zac.
Janice Kelley, Children's Ministry Director
Janice provides direct oversight of The Chapel’s Kids' Ministry at the Akron and Green campuses, implementing renewed vision and strategy to nurture our children toward a deep love for God and others.
Janice joins our staff family with vast experience and knowledge in kids' ministry, being a specialist in kid/parent-friendly environments, progressive ministry strategies, and team-based leadership. Coming from her most recent children’s ministry position in Tampa, FL, Janice and her husband, Mike, have arrived in Northeast Ohio with great anticipation and excitement to serve at The Chapel.
Janice and Mike have two adult children, Shawn and Julie. Contact Janice.
Youth
Steve Garcia, Pastor & Director of Student Ministries
Steve Garcia grew up in inner city New Jersey. After graduating from Cedarville University with a degree in Communications and Television Production, Steve worked for a television station in Lima, Ohio as a sports reporter. After years of work in the video field, Steve felt called to youth ministry.
He interned with the high school department at Cornerstone Church in Michigan before accepting the job as College & Career pastor at Northside Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Steve was married to his wife Kate that same year in North Carolina. After 3 years of ministry & seminary in Charlotte, Steve felt called back to working with high school students.
Steve was hired by The Chapel in August of 2004 to work in the high school department. Steve is now the director of the student ministries in addition to pastoring high school students. He and his wife Kate are in the process of adopting their first child from Russia. Contact Steve.
Brett Faris, Green Campus Senior High Pastor
Brett is from Norton, Ohio where he graduated high school in 1998. He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Akron. Then in 2007 Brett received a Master’s of Arts in Christian Studies from Trinity University. Through college Brett maintained his own lawn service. It was during his college years when he decided that a career in professional counseling wasn’t the path that he wanted to take. He knew the Lord was leading him into the ministry.
In 2004, Brett joined The Chapel staff as an intern for the Young Singles Ministry. For 4 years Brett enjoyed his time teaching and opportunities to disciple young people, two of his greatest passions. In the summer of 2008, Brett joined the student ministries team serving as Green Campus Senior High Pastor. The excitement of youth ministry for Brett is being able to see high school students begin to understand the love Christ has for them and watching the students live out their faith in practical ways.
Brett is married to Breanne and live in the Portage Lakes area. Contact Brett.
Community Groups, ABF & HABF
Dane Allphin, ABF/HABF Pastor
Dane Allphin served 19 years with Young Life in Ohio and West Virginia, helping teenagers hear and know Christ. He grew up his early years in Mexico, where his dad worked for Union Carbide (no, he wasn't a missionary).
He finished his undergrad at Miami University and his Masters of Divinity at Ashland Theological Seminary. He has served at The Chapel since 2002. Dane oversees our Adult Bible Fellowships on Campus (ABF) and our Home Adult Bible Fellowships (HABF).
Dane and his wife, Helen, have three daughters: Katie, Betsy, and Maggie. Running, gardening, and following Cleveland sports are among Dane's passions. Contact Dane.
Jeff Martell, ABF/HABF Pastor
Jeff has never met a sport he didn't love! his favorites are basketball, tennis, and working out.
Jeff grew up attending a Christian church and was taught about Christ and his love for Jeff. But it wasn’t until the summer after Jeff’s sophomore year in college that he truly gave the Lord his heart and control over his life. From there not only did Jeff’s life change, but so did the calling the Lord placed on his life.
Jeff began taking seminary courses while working a management position at a company in 2001, never thinking that one day he’d be a pastor. Much to his surprise, Jeff was offered his then “dream position” combining sports and ministry at The Chapel. He came on staff in 2002, serving as an intern in sports ministries and classes at The Chapel’s Trinity Evangelical Divinity School extension.
In 2003 he changed his focus to young adult ministries, along with coordinating the Trinity Extension and Chapel Internship Program. He is now privileged to oversee Adult Bible Fellowships.
Jeff's from the Akron area and received a business degree from the University of Akron. He received a Master's of Arts in Religion at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is currently working on a Doctor of Educational Ministry degree from Southern Seminary. Jeff has been married to his wife, Marcia, since 2003, and they had their first son, Luke, in 2006. Contact Jeff.
College
Brian Kunkler, College Pastor
Kevin Poest
Kevin grew up in Brunswick Ohio and came to the University of Akron in the fall of 2000 on a track & field scholarship as a pole vaulter. He went on to get his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and was heavily involved in the college’s athlete ministry as a student.
Upon graduation in 2005 he headed off to Los Angeles to do a summer internship with Mosaic, led by Pastor Erwin McManus and then returned in the fall to start his internship with Campus Focus and the The Chapel. Following completion of his internship Kevin was hired on as the assistant college pastor in the summer of 2008.
Kevin has been part of the college ministry for 9 yrs. Contact Kevin.
Women's, Men's, Sports & Seniors
Gail Benn, Women's Ministry Director
Before joining the Chapel staff, Gail was actively involved with the leadership team at Community Church of Portage Lakes in Akron. She also served on the board of directors for hosting international students affiliated with Akron University. Eventually she became coordinator for international students in the Akron area. Most recently, she served on the board of directors with Joni and Friends North Ohio
Gail now teaches and encourages women of all ages at conferences, Bible studies, and special events. She challenges women to believe the authority and power of God’s Word to transform their hearts and minds as they trust Christ through the valley or mountain top experiences of life. She has received her counselor training through North Coast Family Foundation in Cleveland.
Gail and her husband, Jack, have been married for 32 years and live in Springfield. They have three children: Jill, Karen, and Jayson; and five grandchildren: Beau, Brianna, Zoë, Spencer, and Suzanna. Gail and Jack enjoy biking, photography, traveling, and overnighters with their grandchildren. Contact Gail.
Dale Saylor, Men's Ministry & Sports Pastor
Dale spent over twenty years working with young adults as a high school teacher and coach. He earned his undergraduate degree in secondary education from the University of Akron and did graduate work there and Kent State University. He also attended Malone University’s School of Theology.
After teaching and coaching, Dale served as the Area Director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in northeast Ohio. During this time he developed a close relationship with many professional, college, and high school coaches and athletes in impacting others for Jesus Christ.
In 2005, Dale was selected to use his expertise in leading The Chapel’s Sports and Men’s Ministry. Sports ministry is often the first touch in a person’s life with the church. This ministry area offers a way to develop a relationship with people; and, it introduces people to the life of The Chapel and a relationship with Jesus Christ. Dale very passionate and enthusiastic in leading Bible studies with area coaches and encourages the concepts of "Coaching 4 Life."
Dale and his wife, Heather, stay busy raising their daughters Hannah and Haleigh, while avidly following The Ohio State Buckeyes with sons Jamie and Nathan. He loves working out, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Contact Dale.
Lynn Warner, Pastor of Seniors and Primetime
Reverend Lynn Warner has pastored for 43 years. He spent 3 years at the New Testament Baptist Church in Miami, Florida; 29 years at the Canton Baptist Temple in Canton, Ohio; and is now serving at The Chapel in Green/Akron, Ohio.
Lynn is a graduate of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri.
He and his wife Janet now reside in Canton, Ohio. Children are son, Ryan, and daughter-in-law, Sarah; and daughter, Michelle.
Larry Shaw, Pastor of Senior Adults
Formerly a school administrator and teacher in five states, Larry has held ministerial posts in Michigan and Ohio before joining The Chapel in 1994. He and Carol have three adult children, one grandson. Carol is a clinical nurse at Children’s Hospital. Larry directs our pastoral ministry to single adults over age 50 and ministers to needs for care church-wide.
Larry says, “I would characterize my ministry with three R-words: Rescue, Repair and Remediation.” He adds, “They follow the other 3 R’s from my earlier career: reading and riting and rithmetic.”
Larry's work at The Chapel for older singles and others follows that same pattern of caring for the gathered church and the people who gather as the church and the people who still need to be gathered with the church.
Jim Dull, Pastor of Senior Adults
Care & Counseling
Steve Bucy, Care Pastor
Mike Miller, Director of Care
Mike and Shirley have been married for 45 years. They have two daughters, Denise and Christine. Both are married and live in the area and attend the Chapel in Green.
Shirley and Mike are enjoying their first grandchild, Mitchell who is six months old.
Mike spent most of his life working in construction and in 1985 sold his interest in the business. After he retired, Mike and Shirley got involved in Prime Time ABF and started to volunteer at the Chapel. For the past 20 years, volunteerism filled a large part of their lives.
Shirley is a homemaker and enjoys reading, long walks, and volunteering in the Kid’s Ministry. Contact Mike.
Wes Hartzfeld, Counseling Pastor
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